You’ve probably seen it. A quick flash of antlers on a rabbit’s head sitting on a dusty shelf in a sitcom or hopping through a fever dream in a prestige drama. The jackalope on TV shows isn't just a prop; it’s a weirdly specific cultural shorthand for "the American West is strange." Most people think of it as a cheap tourist trap joke, but honestly, its television history is surprisingly deep. It’s been a puppet, a cartoon, and even a harbinger of doom.
It’s weird.
While the "taxidermy" version of the jackalope—a jackrabbit with deer antlers glued on—dates back to the 1930s and the Herrick brothers in Douglas, Wyoming, television gave it a personality. It’s not just a fake animal. It's a character.
The Puppet that Started it All: America’s Funniest People
If you grew up in the 90s, you remember Dave Coulier. Long before the "Cut it out" catchphrase became a nostalgic relic, there was a show called America's Funniest People. This was the companion to AFV, and its mascot was a literal jackalope on TV shows.
This puppet was voiced by Coulier himself. It was sarcastic. It was fast-talking. It basically lived to play pranks on people.
Why choose a jackalope? Because it perfectly fits that "trickster" archetype found in folklore. The show used an animated/puppet hybrid that would pop up between clips of people falling down or pets doing weird things. It wasn't high art, but it cemented the creature in the minds of millions of kids. It turned a dusty hunting lodge myth into a household name. You’d see this creature laughing at someone’s misfortune, and suddenly, the jackalope wasn't just a dead rabbit on a wall anymore. It was a jerk. A funny jerk, but a jerk nonetheless.
Pixar’s Boundin’ and the Wisdom of the Antlers
Fast forward to 2003. Pixar released a short film called Boundin’. It’s a rhythmic, rhyming story about a sheep who loses his confidence after being shorn. Then, a giant, hopping jackalope arrives.
This is arguably the most famous jackalope on TV shows and film history. The character, known as the Great American Jackalope, is depicted as a wise, bounding mentor. He doesn't just exist to be a joke. He’s the one who teaches the sheep that "boundin'" is what matters, not the wool.
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- He’s huge.
- He has a deep, gravelly voice (voiced by the director, Bud Luckey).
- He’s basically a desert philosopher.
This version shifted the narrative. Instead of being a prank or a taxidermy gag, the jackalope became a symbol of resilience. It showed that even if you're a "misfit" animal—part rabbit, part deer—you can still be the coolest guy in the desert.
Supernatural and the Darker Side of the Myth
Not every appearance is cute. In the world of Supernatural, things get a bit more grounded in actual "cryptid" lore. While the show dealt with heavy hitters like Wendigos and Leviathans, the jackalope was often mentioned or seen in the background as part of the Americana aesthetic that Sam and Dean Winchester lived in.
There's a specific vibe to those roadside motels. The jackalope on TV shows like Supernatural or even The X-Files serves as a visual cue. It tells the viewer: "You are in the middle of nowhere, and the rules of reality are slightly bent here."
In some episodes, you'll see a mounted jackalope head in a dive bar. It’s a silent witness to the monsters the Winchesters are hunting. It’s also a nod to the fact that many "monsters" start as tall tales. The jackalope is the "gateway drug" of cryptids. If you can believe a rabbit has antlers, maybe you can believe a man can turn into a wolf.
Animation’s Obsession with the Horned Hare
Cartoons love this thing. Looney Tunes used it. Scooby-Doo featured it. Even Phineas and Ferb couldn't resist.
In Looney Tunes, specifically the short "Hareder They Come," Bugs Bunny encounters a jackalope. It’s a classic pairing. You have the smartest rabbit in the world meeting a rabbit that shouldn't exist. The comedy writes itself. Usually, the jackalope is portrayed as being incredibly fast—faster than even the Road Runner in some iterations.
Why animators love it:
- Silhouettes: The antlers make for a striking visual profile that’s instantly recognizable.
- Logic: Cartoons already break the laws of physics, so a hybrid animal fits right in.
- Speed: There is a recurring myth that jackalopes can outrun anything, which is great for "chase" sequences.
The Science (Sort of) Behind the Screen
Here is the part that actually gets a little grim. While we see the jackalope on TV shows as a fun myth, it actually has a basis in a real, albeit sad, medical condition. Shope Papilloma Virus.
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This virus causes rabbits to grow horn-like tumors on their heads and faces. When old-timey hunters saw these "horned" rabbits, they didn't see a virus; they saw a trophy. This is likely where the original myth started before the Herrick brothers started taxidermying them for tourists.
Documentaries on the Discovery Channel or Nat Geo often touch on this when discussing urban legends. They use the jackalope to explain how humans try to make sense of the natural world through storytelling. We’d rather believe in a magical leaping deer-rabbit than a sick bunny. It’s a fascinating look at psychology through the lens of a TV screen.
From The Big Bang Theory to Modern Cameos
Even in modern sitcoms, the jackalope pops up. In The Big Bang Theory, a jackalope is mentioned during one of the scavenger hunts. It’s treated as a nerd-culture touchstone.
Then there’s Gravity Falls. If any show was built for a jackalope, it’s this one. The show is a love letter to Pacific Northwest weirdness. You see jackalopes in the background of the Mystery Shack, tucked away among the "fakes" and the "real" monsters. It blurs the line. In the world of Gravity Falls, the jackalope is almost too normal compared to the multi-eyed beasts, which makes it even funnier.
How to Spot a "Real" TV Jackalope
If you’re looking for a jackalope on TV shows, you have to look at the set design. Production designers love them. They provide a "kitschy" feel to any room.
If a character is supposed to be a "quirky" collector, they will have a jackalope. If the scene takes place in a Texas bar, there's a 90% chance one is hanging over the jukebox. It’s a shortcut for "Western Authenticity (with a wink)."
Beyond the Antlers: Actionable Steps for Enthusiasts
If you're fascinated by the appearance of the jackalope on TV shows and want to dig deeper into the actual lore or find these episodes, here is how you can actually engage with the myth:
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1. Visit the Source (Virtually or In-Person)
Douglas, Wyoming, is the "Jackalope Capital of the World." They have a massive statue that has been featured in countless travel shows. If you’re a fan of the "road trip" genre of television, look up episodes of California’s Gold or similar travelogues that visit Wyoming; they almost always feature the jackalope.
2. Check the Credits
When you see a jackalope in a show like The Last of Us (where one appears as a hidden easter egg) or Stranger Things, look at the production designer's notes. Often, these are placed there as "Easter Eggs" for eagle-eyed viewers who appreciate Americana.
3. Learn the Viral Truth
If you’re interested in the biological side, look for documentaries on the "Shope Papilloma Virus." It’s a sobering but necessary counter-narrative to the whimsical TV version. Understanding the reality makes the mythic portrayal in media even more interesting because it shows how we sanitize nature for entertainment.
4. Start a "Spot the Jackalope" Log
Because this creature is a favorite of set decorators, it appears in the background of more shows than you think. From Parks and Recreation to Breaking Bad, the jackalope is the "Where’s Waldo" of the American West.
The jackalope persists because it represents the "Tall Tale." In a world where everything is GPS-tracked and photographed, the idea of a rabbit that you can only catch if you lure it with whiskey (one of the real legends!) is fun. Television keeps that fun alive by placing the jackalope on TV shows as a reminder that the world still has room for a bit of nonsense.
Next time you’re channel surfing and you see those antlers, you’ll know it’s not just a weird prop. It’s a century of folklore, a bit of tragic biology, and a whole lot of TV history hopping across the screen.
To explore more about how television uses mythical creatures to build atmosphere, look into the set design history of "Roadside Americana" in 1990s television dramas. Check out the archives of the Douglas, Wyoming Chamber of Commerce for a list of officially licensed jackalope media appearances. For a look at the biological origins, research the work of Dr. Richard Shope from the 1930s.